Vigor of Twelve is a play off of the fact that Jesus had twelve disciples. It is a name that helps stress an importance on discipleship. This blog is specifically geared for younger people and mature Christians who don't mind a fresh, bold, and blunt approach to faith. Comments welcome, let's begin the discussion!

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Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Luke 23:18-25

Luke 23:18-25

And all at once they cried out, saying,
“Take this one us, and set free to us Barabbas.” He was thrown in the prison after some
insurrection and a murder happened in the city.
And again Pilate called out to them while desiring to release Jesus. And they were crying out, saying, “Crucify,
crucify Him!” And a third time he said
to them, “For what evil did this one do?
I found no cause of death in Him.
Therefore, after admonishing him I will release him.” And by a great voice they urged upon him
while asking for Him to be crucified.
And their voices were overpowering.
And Pilate judged for their request to happen. And he released the one who has been thrown
into prison for the sake of insurrection and murder – for whom they were
asking. And he handed over Jesus to
their desires.

Thoughts
for Today

First Thought:

Today we get to see the fulfillment of the religious leaders’
desires. Pilate wants to free Jesus
because he cannot find a reason to kill Him.
However, the people yell for Pilate to reconsider. Pilate has no reason to hold Jesus, much less
crucify Him. However, due to the mob
mentality of the people and their incredible propensity to see Jesus killed in
a violent manner, they win. The anger
and threatening nature of the religious leader overcomes the sensibility of
Pilate.

When have you ever witnessed a victory due to mob
mentality? Why does mob mentality often
win in situations? What does this tell
us about human beings?

Second Thought:

I find it fascinating that the crowd is given three
opportunities by Pilate to reconsider.
The number three is a very reoccurring number in the crucifixion story. Perhaps most poignant to this story is the
story of Peter’s denial. Remember that
Peter denied Christ three times.
However, at the third denial, Peter realized his error. He feels sorrow. He repents.
He finds forgiveness, eventually.
The crowd does none of these such things. They scream for Jesus’ death three times,
making sure that Pilate’s opinion is overruled.
There is no repentance. There is
no humble understanding of a mistake being made. Instead, there is only increased fervor as
the mob mentality takes over.

Why do you think it is easier for Peter to come to repentance
over his action than the mob? What can
this teach us about the dangers of being a part of a mob mentality situation?

Third Thought:

We should talk a little bit about the
fact that the crowd wants Barabbas instead of Jesus. Here is a known insurrectionist. Here is a known murderer. Here is a proven criminal. Yet, the crowd will take this criminal rather
than take Pilate’s discernment. The
crowd will listen to its own rationale rather than listening to proven reason.

Why do you think mob mentality can so
readily overlook reason? Why is it so
hard for Pilate to speak against the mob?
Why do you think the crowd is willing to accept the release of a known
criminal instead of Jesus?